What does BE in a Pad Mean?

[loriken214]

Guess I missed this in a previous post, but can someone please educate me?

Thank you!

Lori

 

[chrono]

BE = Beryllium diffusion treatment. A coating of colour is applied to the outer layer of the gemstone to give it a certain colour.

More reading material:
http://www.palagems.com/bulk_diffusion_sapphire.htm

 

[loriken214]

Thank you Chrono!!!

Lori

 

[chrono]

You''re welcome.

 

[LD]

Chrono - correct me if I''m wrong but that''s the old style of BE diffusion. The new type no longers coats (which was the issue years ago as the coating could scratch or wear off). Now, certain chemicals/minerals etc., are added to the heating process and the whole gemstone is "diffused" from inside/out. So basically if you were to recut the stone, you wouldn''t be left with a two-tone stone.

Loriken - the process is a way of adding colour to a gemstone. So, for example, if you take a yellow sapphire and want it to look more "pad" ish then you BE it and it takes on a different colour - more pink and orange.

I hope that helps.

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Hey Lori
What''s the new stone in the avatar?

 

[Lady_Disdain]

Date: 4/25/2009 7:02:29 AM
Author: MakingTheGrade
Hey Lori
What's the new stone in the avatar?

Unless stones have twins wandering around, I think it is Finewater's Nigerian tourmaline. Lori has a fast trigger finger.

Is recognizing stones at first sight a symptom of a gemstone problem?

Lori - please introduce your stone to the forum. We love asscher, yummy pink and fine cutting.

 

[chrono]

Date: 4/25/2009 5:07:39 AM
Author: LovingDiamonds
Chrono - correct me if I''m wrong but that''s the old style of BE diffusion. The new type no longers coats (which was the issue years ago as the coating could scratch or wear off). Now, certain chemicals/minerals etc., are added to the heating process and the whole gemstone is ''diffused'' from inside/out. So basically if you were to recut the stone, you wouldn''t be left with a two-tone stone.

Loriken - the process is a way of adding colour to a gemstone. So, for example, if you take a yellow sapphire and want it to look more ''pad'' ish then you BE it and it takes on a different colour - more pink and orange.

I hope that helps.

Correct. In the new one, the stone is "bathed" in the chemical and it really gets into the stone as it is heated. This new method means when you scratch the stone, there is no coating to be removed. They are really getting good at it, aren''t they?

As far as I know, it is the pink sapphires that are BE treated to look like padparadscha since it already has the pink colour down pat.

 

[innerkitten]

Wow I hadn''t realized they had a new method. Is it harder to detect?

 

[LD]

Date: 4/25/2009 11:19:59 AM
Author: Chrono

Date: 4/25/2009 5:07:39 AM
Author: LovingDiamonds
Chrono - correct me if I''m wrong but that''s the old style of BE diffusion. The new type no longers coats (which was the issue years ago as the coating could scratch or wear off). Now, certain chemicals/minerals etc., are added to the heating process and the whole gemstone is ''diffused'' from inside/out. So basically if you were to recut the stone, you wouldn''t be left with a two-tone stone.

Loriken - the process is a way of adding colour to a gemstone. So, for example, if you take a yellow sapphire and want it to look more ''pad'' ish then you BE it and it takes on a different colour - more pink and orange.

I hope that helps.

Correct. In the new one, the stone is ''bathed'' in the chemical and it really gets into the stone as it is heated. This new method means when you scratch the stone, there is no coating to be removed. They are really getting good at it, aren''t they?

As far as I know, it is the pink sapphires that are BE treated to look like padparadscha since it already has the pink colour down pat.

That''s my understanding too. However, in terms of what colour sapphire they start with? Yellow/orange is the preferred colour I understand for a Pad. I don''t think they use pink - happy to be corrected!

 

[LD]

Date: 4/25/2009 11:33:16 AM
Author: innerkitten
Wow I hadn''t realized they had a new method. Is it harder to detect?

No Innerkitten. This BE has been around for at least 5 years that I know of (maybe longer). The colour can give it away as you usually end up with a very vibrant colour and the clarity is reasonably good.

 

[coatimundi_org]

Date: 4/25/2009 12:02:01 PM
Author: LovingDiamonds

Date: 4/25/2009 11:19:59 AM

Author: Chrono

Date: 4/25/2009 5:07:39 AM

Author: LovingDiamonds

Chrono - correct me if I''m wrong but that''s the old style of BE diffusion. The new type no longers coats (which was the issue years ago as the coating could scratch or wear off). Now, certain chemicals/minerals etc., are added to the heating process and the whole gemstone is ''diffused'' from inside/out. So basically if you were to recut the stone, you wouldn''t be left with a two-tone stone.


Loriken - the process is a way of adding colour to a gemstone. So, for example, if you take a yellow sapphire and want it to look more ''pad'' ish then you BE it and it takes on a different colour - more pink and orange.


I hope that helps.

Correct. In the new one, the stone is ''bathed'' in the chemical and it really gets into the stone as it is heated. This new method means when you scratch the stone, there is no coating to be removed. They are really getting good at it, aren''t they?


As far as I know, it is the pink sapphires that are BE treated to look like padparadscha since it already has the pink colour down pat.

That''s my understanding too. However, in terms of what colour sapphire they start with? Yellow/orange is the preferred colour I understand for a Pad. I don''t think they use pink - happy to be corrected!

Yes, they start with light pink sapphire and then beryllium diffuse them to make padparadscha like color. I believe this treatment was recognized in 2001--Thais treating pale pink sapphire from Madagascar.

 

[coatimundi_org]

Date: 4/25/2009 12:03:39 PM
Author: LovingDiamonds

Date: 4/25/2009 11:33:16 AM

Author: innerkitten

Wow I hadn't realized they had a new method. Is it harder to detect?

No Innerkitten. This BE has been around for at least 5 years that I know of (maybe longer). The colour can give it away as you usually end up with a very vibrant colour and the clarity is reasonably good.

Color and price may be a giveaway in some instances, but it can be exceedingly difficult to detect in others. Labs detect BE diffusion by immersion in methylene iodide. Altered inclusions are another indicator, but immersion will show you the surface color zoning. I don't care who the dealer is--if I buy a padparadscha, it must come with a lab report.

 

[karee888]

Date: 4/25/2009 10:08:40 AM
Author: Lady_Disdain

Date: 4/25/2009 7:02:29 AM

Author: MakingTheGrade

Hey Lori

What''s the new stone in the avatar?

Unless stones have twins wandering around, I think it is Finewater''s Nigerian tourmaline. Lori has a fast trigger finger.


Is recognizing stones at first sight a symptom of a gemstone problem?

Lori - please introduce your stone to the forum. We love asscher, yummy pink and fine cutting.

Were there new stones posted recently?

 

[innerkitten]

What a waste of pink sapphires! I love them so much as is. I guess it''s all about money though ( for some people ).

 

[oldmancoyote]

BE = Best Eschewed

 

[chrono]

Date: 4/25/2009 1:40:04 PM
Author: innerkitten
What a waste of pink sapphires! I love them so much as is. I guess it''s all about money though ( for some people ).

Not just that, but the demand for pink sapphires to be used for BE treatment has caused the prices of regular pink sapphires to rise too because there''s even less for sale now.

 

[LD]

Date: 4/25/2009 12:27:18 PM
Author: coatimundi

Date: 4/25/2009 12:03:39 PM
Author: LovingDiamonds

Date: 4/25/2009 11:33:16 AM

Author: innerkitten

Wow I hadn''t realized they had a new method. Is it harder to detect?

No Innerkitten. This BE has been around for at least 5 years that I know of (maybe longer). The colour can give it away as you usually end up with a very vibrant colour and the clarity is reasonably good.

Color and price may be a giveaway in some instances, but it can be exceedingly difficult to detect in others. Labs detect BE diffusion by immersion in methylene iodide. Altered inclusions are another indicator, but immersion will show you the surface color zoning. I don''t care who the dealer is--if I buy a padparadscha, it must come with a lab report.

Completely agree - it''s why I would NEVER buy an important Sapphire or Ruby without a lab report. I''ve seen some glorious Rubies that have had BE treatment.

 

[loriken214]

What a shame that the "average person" is being taken advantage of....it makes me sick to think of the money that is being spent on what someone thinks is "the genuine article."

That''s why I went with NSC for my first pad. She is tiny, but I know I''m getting the real deal and it will be certified...OR ELSE!

Lori

 

[loriken214]

Date: 4/25/2009 10:08:40 AM
Author: Lady_Disdain

Date: 4/25/2009 7:02:29 AM
Author: MakingTheGrade
Hey Lori
What''s the new stone in the avatar?

Unless stones have twins wandering around, I think it is Finewater''s Nigerian tourmaline. Lori has a fast trigger finger.

Is recognizing stones at first sight a symptom of a gemstone problem?

Lori - please introduce your stone to the forum. We love asscher, yummy pink and fine cutting.

Yes, my avatar is Gary''s Nigerian tourmaline that belongs to a very lucky person...NOT ME! I asked him about it and he said it was sold within two hours of being cut. This is my dream asscher and I would LOVE to have one just like it. Instead, Gary is cutting something special for me....details to follow....

Lori

 

[BlueSea]

I hate to let you guys wondering...

Yes, I believe that this stone that you''re talking about here is mine. According to Gary, it''s a Nigerian Tourmaline, 2.64 carats, 7.7mm, IF clarity. I was in love with it at the first sight. Seeing it in person even more...wow...

I will start a separate thread to introduce this when I have more pictures. Thanks everyone!!!

 

[chrono]

Blue Sea,
You are very fortunate to snag that one! The colour is eye popping. I''d love to read your opinion and see your pictures.

 

[loriken214]

Date: 4/26/2009 12:02:09 PM
Author: BlueSea
I hate to let you guys wondering...

Yes, I believe that this stone that you''re talking about here is mine. According to Gary, it''s a Nigerian Tourmaline, 2.64 carats, 7.7mm, IF clarity. I was in love with it at the first sight. Seeing it in person even more...wow...

I will start a separate thread to introduce this when I have more pictures. Thanks everyone!!!

YAY..BlueSea!!! Hope you don''t mind my borrowing your awesome asscher for a bit! Gary didn''t say who the lucky owner was and I just couldn''t stand not having a photo to drool over.....

PLEASE post lots of photos of your amazing beauty!!!!

Lori

 

[cushioncutnut]

Date: 4/26/2009 12:02:09 PM
Author: BlueSea
I hate to let you guys wondering...

Yes, I believe that this stone that you''re talking about here is mine. According to Gary, it''s a Nigerian Tourmaline, 2.64 carats, 7.7mm, IF clarity. I was in love with it at the first sight. Seeing it in person even more...wow...

I will start a separate thread to introduce this when I have more pictures. Thanks everyone!!!

Count me in as wanting to see this stone! It looks gorgeous!

 

[BlueSea]

Date: 4/26/2009 9:35:14 PM
Author: loriken214

YAY..BlueSea!!! Hope you don''t mind my borrowing your awesome asscher for a bit! Gary didn''t say who the lucky owner was and I just couldn''t stand not having a photo to drool over.....

PLEASE post lots of photos of your amazing beauty!!!!

Lori

Hi Lori, no, I don''t mind at all that you use it for your avatar

 

[loriken214]

Date: 4/27/2009 10:44:24 PM
Author: BlueSea

Date: 4/26/2009 9:35:14 PM
Author: loriken214

YAY..BlueSea!!! Hope you don''t mind my borrowing your awesome asscher for a bit! Gary didn''t say who the lucky owner was and I just couldn''t stand not having a photo to drool over.....

PLEASE post lots of photos of your amazing beauty!!!!

Lori

Hi Lori, no, I don''t mind at all that you use it for your avatar

YAY...thank you! I''ll have my own pink pretty before long...

Lori